The Regional Secretary for Tourism and Transport stated in Ponta Delgada that the Government's support to the organisation of the Azores Airlines Rallye is a safe investment, which will be continued.
"This event provides a major contribution to the promotion and projection capacity of the event in itself, but, above all, to what the Region has to offer." In fact, it enables the Azores to have an increasing contact "with potential tourists" that may visit the archipelago in order to continue building the tourism sector, "focusing on economic, environmental and social sustainability."
Vítor Fraga attended the prize-delivery ceremony on behalf of the President of the Government. At the occasion, he stressed that the Azores Airlines Rallye "is an event that reflects what has been the commitment of the Government, either in the increase of tourism flows or in the promotion of events in the Region."
In this regard, the government official stressed that the competition "reconciles two fundamental aspects," i.e., "the increase of tourism flows and external promotion."
According Vítor Fraga, the Azores Airlines Rallye "also reflects what has been a strategic investment, which involves the continued support to such initiatives in order to consolidate them and maximise the return of all the investment that is made."
Vítor Fraga stressed that this "is a great moment of satisfaction for all," stressing that the biggest sports event that takes place in the Region ends with the "icing on the cake."
"When Ricardo Moura won the competition, he also demonstrated the character of the Azoreans, who can excel themselves and win. He has fought with determination, with a champion's attitude and often in conditions that cannot be comparable to those of other drivers participating in the event," said the government official.
The Regional Secretary also stressed that the quality of participants "reflects the outstanding work that has been developed by Grupo Desportivo Comercial not only in this edition but also throughout the years, because only this justifies the interest of pilots in participating and the media interest that the competition has raised over the years."
According to the Secretary for Tourism, Grupo Desportivo Comercial "has put on road another memorable competition, being one of the most emotional events of recent years, not only with regard to the event held in the Azores but also with regard with the championship held at European level. Certainly. This high level of emotion will certainly contribute to enhance the promotion and projection it already has across borders."